Hello, people. No, I haven’t been sick. Just thought I’d take some time to take in all that’s been going on. Between my last post full of learnings and notes and today, there HAS been a lot going on in terms of redirection, in terms of lessons learned, and so on and so forth.
Alas, even in my relaxing and analyzing and taking things in, responsibilities come to the surface. One responsibility I couldn’t shake off is to talk to the senior and junior high kids. Usually I would write lengths in preparation and to meet the 1000 word a day quota, but I only had enough time to write this:
September Wrap-Up
Philippians 4:6-7Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds* through Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 John 4:18-19There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment*. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
He’s the Hero
1 John 4:15-16Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Romans 10:9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
My intention was to sort of wrap-up whatever we talked about for the entire month, just so we’re all on the same page before we jump into October. It’s based on something that I like Dr. Farley saying, which goes something like this: Christ works in you no matter what happens around you. So what I told the kids was whenever something good or bad happens to you, you pray until you feel better. Consequently, when you want something to happen, or when you want to do something, the same applies – pray until you feel better.
And in those times that you aren’t feeling so hot to pray, well, be at peace, knowing that Christ is the One who cares for you, whether you’re thinking about Him or not.
I wrapped this all up by saying that we’re going to have an awesome month ahead, and that we’re praying for what to share. The kids were pretty enthusiastic and I was encouraged.
Right after my portion, right after the message the next part of the program was to encourage these kids to give an offering… something that I’ve noticed was not something they were pretty enthusiastic about. I’m thinking this is where we’re headed for the next month. It’ll start off with a message, themed around encouraging these kids, even at their age and situation, to give, just as they have been given. No matter how they were told to give cheerfully, I don’t think they were anywhere near that – I hope to change this.
The overall theme would be derived from my good friend’s advice. I won’t forget what Andrei said – simply, ‘Pay it forward’. The way I understood this is that you honor something that was given to you, you honor who gave it you by giving to others. So, say, I give you money and you offer to pay it back; if I say ‘pay it forward’, I’m saying you can pay me back by giving someone else the money when they need it, just as you needed it.
As you’ve been given a blessing, so bless others – I believe this is the best way for someone to appreciate both the specific blessing received, and the one who gave the blessing. That looks to be the theme for the next coming Fridays, until I think of something for November and December:
As you have been given, so give to others. Pay It Forward.
I’m thinking of giving just as Mr. Beast would give, and on that note, I’m lining up his talk with Andrew Schutz just to see how he operates.
As you have been loved, so love others. Pay It Forward.
Not merely those who are lovable in your eyes, but you show love to everyone else. And it’s not necessarily the love they expect, but surely the best you can give.
As you have been forgiven, so you are able to forgive others. Pay It Forward.
Just as Christ forgave me, so I have been able to forgive those who have cheated on me, cheated me or my family, or downright hurt me.
As you have been encouraged, so encourage others. Pay It Forward.
Just as I am encouraged by Christ through my own brothers in their unique way, so I am able to encourage others.
It’s looking like a good month ahead. Obviously I’m going to need to fill in the gaps by way of getting specific verses from the Old and New Testament, as foundational Truths for these topics to stand on. On top of this I am thinking of preparing a slideshow of sorts, not only to prepare to flash for the kids to take notes, but also as a proposal of sorts for the teachers who are de facto partnering with me in this endeavor. Pretty sure they’d be on board, but I’d still like to know what they think.
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to speak to these folks, and for them to say that they understand to some degree, well, that makes me feel validated, based on that one saying that goes, ‘if you can’t explain it to a 5-year old, then you don’t know as much as you should know about it’. These kids aren’t actually 5 years old, but they are significantly younger than me… and by God’s grace, I will continue to speak to them.
Until the next post, God bless you.
JB's Personal Brain Defragmenter 
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